Going rate for a used A9 in very good condition

[Rick Crenshaw]

What's the going the rate? Great sounding mandolin, but I have a Daley that I play almost all the time. I have a chance to trade for a nice guitar so I need some input.

What would you pay if you wanted one?

Thanks.

[delsbrother]

I think Elderly will give you about $900 (at least that's what I got offered about 6 months ago). Try their email quote system. I believe Gruhn's and Mando Brothers will also give you a "ballpark" quote.

[mmukav]

Elderly is right now selling a 2003 A9 for $1,385.

Whew! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[jim simpson]

"What's the going the rate? Great sounding mandolin, but I have a Daley that I play almost all the time. I have a chance to trade for a nice guitar so I need some input."

Rick,
I just traded in my A-9 on a nice guitar as I play my Daley almost all the time (I do have my F5G as a back up). I took my A-9 to the big guitar show here recently and a dealer had a brand new Gibson Southern Jumbo for $1399.00. He gave me $800 in trade value. I would have liked to have sold it for a little more but the guitar was marked way lower than it usually sells for.

[thehoffer]

I sold my A-9 on this site a while back. I think I sold it for $950. Basically what I bought it from Elderly for. It had a very small finish blem under the strings. I would think that from $900 to $1000 should do depending on condition. I will say, however, it seems to be a buyers market out there right now, lots of mandos on this site and Ebay.
Cheers
Mike

[Rick Crenshaw]

Well, the guy's son wants an F style so I'll hold onto the A9. I need a back up when I play anyways and it is a good sounding mandolin so I can't lose to hold on to it. I paid 899 + tax for it with a hsc during the Great GC Gibson close out. Thanks for all the replies. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Professor PT]

How does the Daley sound in comparison to the A-9? I know he used to work for Gibson. Do his mandolins sound similar?

[Rick Crenshaw]

The Daley is much more 'full' sounding. Woody like the A9 but more complex. Dry like the A9 but without sounding 'harsh'. The Daley's lows are more full and pleasing. The Daley's mids and highs have more sustain. The Daley's highs and mids are also more 'crisper' and have more sparkle and pop than the A9.

I like the A9, especially for 899 + tax, and it sounds like a good new Gibson, but the Daley is much the better mandolin in my opinion. I think the Daley sounds a lot like a REALLY good OLD Gibson. Does that mean Loar??? I don't know... I don't get to play Loars too often.

[jim simpson]

Rick,
Good job describing the Daley. I was trying to decribe mine and I don't think I could done a better job. When I went to check out my Daley I took my Gibson F5-G with me for comparison. I figured if it sounded as good, I would buy it. Well, it did (does) and then some! I still like my Gibson but the Daley is clearly the favored one.
Now back to this guitar you wanted to buy - what was it? You're smart to keep the A9 as a back-up. I find it a great stress reliever to have a backup for string-breaks when gigging. If you need to put yours in the shop, you also have your back-up then as well.
Jim